770611 - Letter to Manshar B. Patel from Tamal Krsna

June 11, 1977

From: Tamal Krishna

Mr. Manshar B. Patel,

52 Jackman Drive

Bramalea, Ontario ??S 219

Canada

Dear Mr. Patel,

I have been instructed by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to reply your letter dated May 9th, 1977. As you know His Divine Grace has been seriously ill and under the circumstances all initiation ceremonies have been postponed indefinitely. Initiation means from a bona-fide spiritual master. If Srila Rajbihari Swami Maharaj is actually in unbroken legitimate disciplic succession, then there is no need to take initiation again. If he is not, then you never actually had a spiritual master, because spiritual master means one who is in disciplic succession. In any case, you can always take instruction from Srila Prabhupada as you are now doing by reading his books and attending the temple.

Hoping this meets you well.

Yours faithfully,

Tamal Krsna Gosvami

Secretary to His Divine Grace

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

/tkg